The military confrontation in Iraq brings attention to the roles of components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

During this conflict, it is important to understand the role of the Movement components, including the American Red Cross at home, oversees during military action and in rendering humanitarian aid to affected populations.

Based on the Geneva Conventions and other agreements, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) acts as the lead agency for the Movement during times of armed conflict.

The Geneva Conventions are international treaties that mandate that vulnerable people (such as: prisoners of war, sick and wounded soldiers and civilians) not actively taking part in an armed conflict must be protected and their rights respected. In this role, the ICRC:

• Provides food, water, emergency relief and medical assistance to civilians without access to these basic necessities.
• Coordinates humanitarian relief efforts of the Movement in areas directly affected by conflict.
• Visits prisoners of war and civilian detainees held in relation to conflict to ensure that their conditions and treatment comply with the basic principles laid out in international humanitarian law (IHL).
• Conducts searches for missing persons.
• Exchanges messages to and from members of separated families.
• Reunites separated families.
• Helps to establish neutral and protected hospital and security zones in areas of conflict.
• Provides surgical equipment for war-wounded to hospitals and basic supplies to ensure that hospitals continue to operate during conflict.
• Through direct and confidential dialogue, reminds all sides participating in hostilities of their obligations under international humanitarian law - namely to respect and protect those not or no longer taking part in the fighting.
• Through direct and confidential dialogue, draws attention (to parties of the conflict) to serious IHL violations and encourages respect for IHL.
• Educates the public about IHL and the role of the ICRC in conflict (to encourage respect for the red cross and red crescent emblems) and contributes to the development of humanitarian law.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) is the membership association and international coordination arm for national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies throughout the world.

Cooperation among national societies gives the Federation the ability to asssist those most in need. The Federation endeavors to support its member national societies through capacity building. When the needs of people affected by disaster exceed the capacity of their national society, the Federation helps coordinate the international response of other national societies.

During conflicts the Federation works under the leadership of the ICRC to provide humanitarian assistance as necessary.

Each national society uses an emblem to identify its affiliation with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement. The three emblems used are:

Red Cross (used by most national societies)

Red Crescent (used by many middle eastern countries)

Red Shield of David (used by the Magan David Adom, the equivalent of the Red Cross in Israel

• Humanity - The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, born of a desire to bring assistance without discrimination to the wounded on the battlefield endeavours, in its international and national capacity, to prevent and alleviate human suffering wherever it may be found. Its purpose is to protect life and health and to ensure respect for the human being. It promotes mutual understanding, friendship, cooperation and lasting peace among all peoples.

• Impartiality - It makes no discrimination as to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. It endeavours to relieve the suffering of individuals, being guided solely by their needs, and to give priority to the most urgent cases of distress.

• Neutrality - In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all, the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or engage at any time in controversies of a political, racial, religious or ideological nature.

• Independence - The Movement is independent. The National Societies, while auxiliaries in the humanitarian services of their governments and subject to the laws of their respective countries, must always maintain their autonomy so that they may be able at all times to act in accordance with the principles of the Movement.

• Voluntary Service - It is a voluntary relief movement not prompted in any manner by desire for gain.

• Unity - There can be only one Red Cross or one Red Crescent Society in any one country. It must be open to all. It must carry on its humanitarian work throughout its territory.

• Universality - The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, in which all Societies have equal status and share equal responsibilities and duties in helping each other, is worldwide.

To learn more about Red Cross International services,
please visit our National Website at http://www.redcross.org/services/intl